THE YACM STORY
Young Artists Conservatory of Music (YACM) was founded as a non-profit charity in April 2005 by long time piano instructor Wanda Cook. Cook moved to Vacaville in 1995 bringing with her 3 generations of music educators and the belief that quality music education is transformative in the lives the children. After building a private music studio in her home of over 70 students, Cook wanted to bring the positive effects of music education to as many young people as possible.
Today, by partnering with donors and esteemed faculty members, YACM is the largest, most respected pre-college music education organization in the North Bay Region. From 2005 – 2020, YACM expanded to 4 divisions reaching young people from a broad demographic advancing the positive effects of quality music education. In 2010 YACM adopted Solano Youth Theatre© and Founded Music Matters in the Public Schools. Music Matters© brings music to schools throughout Vallejo and Fairfield Unified School Districts.
In 2013 YACM released its Music Therapy Division under the supervision of board-certified Music Therapist, Brianna McCulloch. By 2014, Solano Youth Chamber Orchestra© became the only regional youth orchestra to perform professional works. The Black-Tie Gala Annual Concert has featured the regions’ most skilled youth in concert performance. Solano Music Conservatory© became home to students cultivating their skills in private lessons, musicianship classes and ensembles, such as TnT Rock Band, Smolder Jazz Band, and Fuse Capella Chorus.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, YACM reframed its programs to address a continuum of education: Little Arts for ages 4-5 years, CORE-Arts for children 6 years and older, and Pro-Arts gives families who wish to pursue more educational opportunities.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, YACM remains more committed than ever to the value of formal music training in the healthy development of children. Today, the YACM program is intentional about incorporating the 5 Core Domains of Human Development uncovered by founder, Wanda Cook into each program it offers. The Inner-Arts© program aims to combine decades of faculty experience, and the 5 Core Domains, with the growing body of research that shows a convincing correlation between formal music training and successful human development.
At YACM, we invest in the unlimited potential of Solano County youth through formal training that includes lessons, classes, and performances, because every child deserves the opportunity to benefit from quality music education.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Eric Woodcock is a seasoned educator and community builder with over a decade of experience at the crossroads of music, education, and organizational leadership. As Executive Director of the Young Artists Conservatory of Music, he brings both professional excellence and a deep personal commitment to empowering young musicians.
His journey with the Conservatory began in 2017, where he served as Operations Coordinator, Music Theory Teacher, and pit orchestra conductor for the Solano Youth Theatre. In this multi-faceted role, he not only oversaw daily operations and programming logistics, but also brought music to life in classrooms and on stage. His prior success at YACM informs his strategic and compassionate leadership today.
Before returning to the Conservatory, Eric was director of bands at Diablo View Middle School, where he built a strong, student-centric music program. Outside of the classroom, he founded the school’s Band Boosters program, created the “Beethoven’s 14th” after-school tutoring program, and chaired both the VAPA department and MTSS committee. His work emphasized collaboration with families and stakeholders to build vibrant, inclusive, SEL focused music programs that extend beyond the classroom.
Additionally, his leadership experience spans roles as General Manager of Theatre DeVille Vacaville and as Dean of Cazadero Music Camp. Across all settings, Eric is known for creating welcoming environments that support creativity, growth, and musical excellence.
As a Vacaville native, Eric has a deep understanding of this community and its strengths, its challenges, and its potential. He is passionate about increasing access to high-quality music education and believes in the transformative power of the arts to shape not only skilled musicians, but empowered, empathetic individuals.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from San Jose State University, where he worked with The San Jose and San Francisco Youth Symphonies, and was a California Music Project Fellow.
WHY YACM?
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YACM programs grow with your child's level commitment.
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YACM programs provide a structured path to learning success.
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We combine the latest research about the benefits of quality music education with the traditions of formal learning.
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YACM students build life-long friendships through memorable shared experiences.
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From receiving a certificate for a performance to receiving a medal, YACM recognizes achievement at every stage
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YACM provides your family a place for the arts through membership privileges, frequent performances, and cultural resources.
OUR
TEAM
Get to know our qualified instructors and dedicated staff members here.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Kevin Phillips, President
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Mario Valadez, Acting Treasurer
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Jason Marcus, Secretary
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Christine Brockman
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Matthew Thomas
OUR FOUNDER
For over three decades, our founder, Wanda Cook, has carried a steadfast conviction: that formal music education is not just an artistic pursuit, but a transformational force in a child’s development. Fueled by a deep understanding of how disciplined musical training strengthens focus, builds resilience, cultivates emotional intelligence, and ignites confidence, she envisioned an institution where excellence and belonging could coexist — a conservatory not just in name, but in purpose.
Young Artists Conservatory of Music began in a Vacaville living room — a home-based piano studio rooted in a conviction that formal music education could change children’s lives. That conviction grew into a community. As student enrollment surpassed 70, our founder made the bold decision to incorporate as a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide conservatory-level instruction to local youth. Thirty years later, that vision has touched thousands.
What set her leadership apart was not just passion, but the discipline of conviction — a commitment to doing the hard work of creating a place where children could experience excellence, belonging, and the thrill of artistic achievement. Through her guidance, YACM secured major grants from the California Arts Council, Kaiser Permanente, Valero, Genentech, the Syar Foundation, First Northern Bank, Travis Credit Union, Northern California Grantmakers, Solano Community Foundation, and the Beelard Foundation. These partnerships helped realize her vision: that children deserve conservatory-quality instruction and high-value, memorable performance experiences that elevate their growth and self-confidence.
Over the decades, YACM expanded to support public schools through the Music Matters program, rescued Solano Youth Theatre from the effects of the recession, developed a music therapy program, launched the Black Tie Gala Concert, and established the Solano Youth Chamber Orchestra — the region’s only youth orchestra performing professional repertoire. At its height before COVID-19, YACM engaged more than 1,800 youth each week.
In 2025, after 30 years of transformative leadership, the founder retires and proudly passes the baton to a new generation of leadership committed to advancing the important work she began: building a community of conservatory families— one that not only develops musicians, but nurtures whole people through the disciplined, inspired, and collaborative pursuit of music and theatre.
FAQs
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What is a Music Conservatory?A music conservatory is a place that offers an immersive experience for the training in practical music. At YACM, we offer formal training with ensembles, performances, private lessons, and composition for children whose families want them to experience the power of confident musicianship.
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What is a Formal Training?Formal Training in music refers to a comprehensive education program that teaches students correct technique, music theory, ear training, sight-reading, musical notation, composition, confidence in performance, and ensemble experiences utilizing multiple styles of music including classical, jazz, folk, and contemporary music.
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What Is a “Tuition Subsidy”?As a non-profit organization, YACM receives contributed funds which are used to reduce or eliminate the cost of participating in music education programs. Most YACM students receive automatic scholarship funding from $800 annually to 100% funding depending upon the program.
